Was darf man ab wann? 'Dürfen' vs 'können', wh- questions and modal verbs
I can use 'können' and 'dürfen' to describe what people are able to do and what people are allowed to do.
Was darf man ab wann? 'Dürfen' vs 'können', wh- questions and modal verbs
I can use 'können' and 'dürfen' to describe what people are able to do and what people are allowed to do.
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Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- 'Dürfen' refers to permission required from another person to do something.
- 'Können' refers to the ability to do something or the possibiity of doing something.
- Open questions use a question word before the verb, followed by the subject.
- In open questions using a modal verb, the 2nd verb in the infinitive is at the end of the sentence.
Keywords
Modal verbs - verbs of necessity, possibility, permission, ability, expectation or obligation used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive
Dürfen - modal verb meaning 'to be allowed to', 'may'
Können - modal verb meaning 'to be able to', 'can'
Wh-question words - question words that mostly begin 'wh-' in English, such as 'where'; in German they are 'Fragewörter'
Common misconception
'Können' and 'dürfen' both translate as 'can' in English.
'Können' and 'dürfen' are often used incorrectly in both German and English. 'Dürfen' refers to permission - 'may I/am I allowed to?'. 'Können' refers to the ability to do something - 'can I/am I able to?', whether or not permission is given.
Equipment
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Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
to think, thinking of
to believe, believing in
to think, thinking of (someone) as
to take part, taking part in
to be correct, being correct
to step, stepping on
to be allowed to, may
to be able to, can
to like
to want to
be supposed to, should
to have to, must
which
where
why
how
who
when
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
understanding
to protect, protecting
law
from, as of
at what age?
from what age?
darf man nicht alleine in die Disco gehen
darf man nicht mehr als 2 Stunden pro Tag 'leichte Arbeit' machen
darf man alleine bis 24 Uhr in die Disco gehen
die Altersgrenzen für verschiedene Filme im Kino